Originally published January 6 2006
New law in Pittsburgh establishes buffer between health clinics and protestors
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Anti-abortion group People Concerned for the Unborn Child has told the media that it will not respect newly proposed laws for the city of Pittsburgh that would require anti-abortion protestors to stay at least eight feet away from health clinic clients who are within 100 feet of the building.
Antiabortion advocates in Pittsburgh on Monday demonstrated against a proposed city ordinance that would create a buffer zone between protesters and health care facilities, including abortion clinics, saying the measure might affect nearby businesses, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports (Boren, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 12/6).
The proposal -- introduced last week by council members William Peduto and Doug Shields -- would prohibit protesters from getting within 15 feet of any health care facility.
It also would bar protesters, counselors and leafleters from coming within eight feet of clients who are within 100 feet of a health care facility "unless such other person consents."
Violators of the measure would be fined $50 for the first offense, $150 for the second, $300 for the third and be sentenced to 30 days in prison for four or more offenses (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 12/1).
About 20 opponents of the proposal on Monday carried "graphic signs" near the entrance of the Hilton Pittsburgh hotel, which is located 100 feet from American Women's Services, an abortion provider.
If the ordinance is approved, "we're going to have to (protest near) places like this," Helen Cindrich, executive director of the antiabortion group People Concerned for the Unborn Child, said (Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12/6).
Joe Parente, a spokesperson for the antiabortion group Operation Rescue/Operation Save America, added, "What we want to show you today are the economic ramifications" of this proposal.
Peduto said the measure would not "affect businesses unless they're 15 feet from the (clinic's) door," adding that other cities have similar ordinances.
Keith Tucci, former national director of Operation Rescue, said the group's "behavior is not going to change" even if the proposal is approved.
The city council is scheduled to take a preliminary vote on the ordinance on Wednesday (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 12/6).
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